DUTCHTOWN WOMAN SEES BIG CHANGES IN BANKING

After almost 20 years of service, Bonnie Kinder of Dutchtown is retiring July 30 from Mercantile Bank of Cape Girardeau.

"I'm looking forward to my retirement," Kinder said, "although I have really enjoyed the people I've worked with. I feel I have met some of the career goals I set for myself."

She joined the banking world in 1953 at First National Bank on Main Street in Cape Girardeau. She then began working at Cape State Bank in February of 1973, which changed to Mercantile Bank in 1974.

Kinder said she was one of the first females to hold the positions of cashier, assistant vice president and vice president at Mercantile Bank.

Her first title was customer service representative, and then she was promoted to cashier/assistant vice president of operations.

Currently, Kinder holds the position of vice president of operations.

Kinder said the major change she has experienced during her banking years was the change from manual processing to computer processing.

"I've enjoyed the challenge and the opportunity to be able to learn new concepts," she said.

After retirement, Kinder and her husband Howard plan to travel and play golf. They have one son, Jeff, and a grandson named Tyler.

Kinder is a member of the Otahki Girl Scout Board, Excelsior Optimist Club and Grace Methodist Church.